MOM will act on tip-offs about illegal pay pacts

IN HER letter last Friday ('Illegal pay pact: Plug the
loopholes'), Ms Priscilla Poh related a case involving a company
she had worked for in 2006. The Ministry of Manpower (MOM) follows
up on tip-offs received related to over-declaration of salaries by
employers involving foreigners on Employment Passes.

We do not require the Employment Pass-holder concerned to make a
complaint to MOM in order to launch an investigation. We have
contacted Ms Poh directly to clarify this.

Under the Employment of Foreign Manpower Act, false declarations
in Work Pass applications are an offence punishable with a fine of
up to $15,000 and/or up to 12 months' jail, or both.

In the first six months of this year, seven employers of
Employment Pass and S-Pass holders have been convicted of the
offence.

Four employers were jailed between one and six months while
three employers were fined between $5,000 and $6,000. The
convictions are strong reminders to employers of the seriousness of
the offence.

Anyone with information on such offences can call the MOM
hotline on 6438-5122 or e-mail [email protected].

y Friend was working through an agency and when she was working only from 12 noon till 6pm. While working, she was informed by her colleague (lets name her Anna) that she was allowed to take the vouchers and the free items since CNY was coming to and end